News

Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Don Maynard passes away at age 86

by
3Down Staff
January 10, 2022

Photo courtesy: New York Jets

Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Don Maynard has passed away at the age of 86.

The six-foot, 180-pound target was selected in the ninth round of the 1957 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He recorded 129 yards from scrimmage over 12 games with the team before being released.

Maynard then came north where he played one season in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1959, making one reception for 10 yards. It was after his tenure with the Ticats that Maynard’s career really took off.

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The native of Crosbyton, Tex. signed with the New York Titans (renamed the Jets in 1963) and caught 72 passes for 1,265 yards and six touchdowns in his first year with the team. It was the start of a remarkable 13-year run with the franchise (1960-72) that ended with him rewriting the record books, making 627 receptions for 11,732 and 88 touchdowns.

Maynard was the first player ever to reach 10,000 receiving yards, a four-time AFL all-star, and a Super Bowl champion. His No. 13 is one of five numbers retired by the Jets.

He may have only been in the CFL for a short time, but it’s remarkable that such a key figure in the history of the AFL and NFL was a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.